Is political activism more limited today?

Question

Do you believe the U.S. government has made it easier to silence criticism now with surveillance and new laws?

Answer 1

The answer is 'YES' to both of your points but the real reason is that there is no 'polarizing' issue to motivate people to take action. On the other hand if they'd had Prozac in 1776 we'd still be singing 'God Save the Queen'.

Answer 2

the first answerer has a point... we have been 'dumbed down' and in order to be more active we must self educate... the problem is, people that bother doing it are ridiculed by the dumb.

Answer 3

No. Criticism is nipped in the bud, at least any kind of criticism that would really make a difference. Our news media sets the debate agenda. We are entertained, not educated. And there is little motive to self-educate. We American cattle don't have any worthy criticism to offer.

Answer 4

Well, dissent has certainly petered out since Seattle 99 and the few years of protest the followed. However, there is no reason why we cant make it happen again.

We need more rabble rousers.